Blazers add four from 06-07 roster

September 7, 2007 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Oklahoma City Blazers News Release


Oklahoma City - The Oklahoma City Blazers of the Central Hockey League signed forwards Ryan Watson, Gordon Bell and Marc Connors and defenseman Jason Seerey to contracts, head coach Doug Sauter announced today.

Watson, a 6-3, 200-pound native of Lethbridge, Alberta recorded 49 points (16-33-49) and served 81 penalty minutes in 55 games with the Blazers last season. In 280 games as a pro, Watson has posted 207 points (94-113-207) and served 270 penalty minutes. Watson was one of the Blazers top producers for the Blazers during their playoff run in 2007, scoring 14 points (6-8-14), including two game-winners, in the team's 14 playoff games.

The 5-11, 190-pound Bell hails from Westlock, Alberta. In 42 games in his rookie season with the Blazers, he scored 26 points (9-17-26) and served 69 penalty minutes. His +/- rating of +16 was good for fifth among first-year players in the CHL last season.

Connors, a 5-10, 175-pounder from Okotoks, Alberta, is entering his second season in Oklahoma City. He produced 27 points (12-15-27) and served 123 penalty minutes in his rookie campaign. His point total led all first-year players on the Blazers roster. Prior to turning pro, he played five seasons and 285 games in the Western Hockey League with Kamloops and Tri-City, recording 63 points (24-39-63) and serving 402 penalty minutes.

Jason Seerey was one of two amateurs to join the Blazers roster during the club's run through the 2007 CHL Playoffs. He appeared in seven games, serving four penalty minutes. Prior to joining the Blazers for the postseason, he competed for five seasons at the university level in Canada, splitting time between the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology and the University of Regina. The 6-0, 203-pounder from Nipawin, Sask. scored 44 points (11-33-44) in 124 games between the two schools.

"I'm pleased to have all four of these players back on our club," said Sauter. "Each of them will be able to draw on their experiences from last season and be a big part of our success for this season."

The addition of Ryan Watson, Gordon Bell, Marc Connors and Jason Seerey bring the number of players officially signed by the Blazers for the 07-08 season to 14. They join forwards Marty Standish, Garrett Prosofsky, Graham Dearle, Dallas Flaman and Erick Lizon and blueliners Peter Robertson, Stacey Bauman, Mike Burgoyne and Kevin Wilson and goaltender Jason Wolfe.

The Blazers open training camp October 8 at the Blazers Ice Centre. Play begins for sweet season 16 in the Central Hockey League October 19 at the Ford Center against the Youngstown Steelhounds. For more information, contact the Blazers office at 235-PUCK.



Central Hockey League Stories from September 7, 2007


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